My most FAVORITE time of the year – mostly because of pumpkin pie! I always get inspired this time of year because I love the cool crisp air how mother nature paints the landscape with gorgeous rich colors. It’s not uncommon for me to dress up our dinner table with whimsical napkins and décor. These little pumpkin place card holders are easy and quick to make with just a few supplies. You’re guests will not only love them, but will love to take them home as a little momento of the evening.

So today I’m showing you how to make adorable paper pumpkins from paper. These are great place card holders but would be even cuter made from smaller circles and used as cupcake toppers!! ADORABLE!

Hint: These are make great party favors and also little photo holders. Don’t you just love projects that are easy AND versatile?

I’m drawn to pieces that tell a story. I believe that’s why I like all things vintage and if they could – these pieces would tell us an incredible story.

When I look at these earrings, I remember my first trip to Paris with my friend and editor Marie. We had just finished photography for my book Metalwork Jewelry. She couldn’t believe that I would just pick things up wherever I found them, even if they were on the side of the road, and use them in my artwork. Well, after a week in the studio with me, she changed her mind. While in Paris and just in front of the Eiffel Tower, I looked over to find her kneeling down, digging in the dirt with her keys to retrieve and old bottle cap.

I recently ran across an inspiration board on Pinterest that was all about rusty metal and turquoise patina. I loved the colors together and the way that the patina seemed to dance on the metal.

I thought these colors were just gorgeous for fall and since I love all things old and worn, I decided to have a play and Explore Beyond at creating my own rustic metal shapes. I love that I have a sense of control, yet at the same time, each piece was unique in its own way.

I hope this tutorial really inspires you to explore unconventional ways to use conventional materials. There’s so many ways to incorporate this into your mixed media artwork and jewelry. Have fun!

Note: I drill my holes with a drill because I can place the holes exactly where I need them. Sometimes the holes shrink too small when I punch them before heating.

Cut your shapes from shrink plastic using the Circles Three and Ovals One die templates of choice. Don’t throw away your negative space as this can be used for the focal base for a pendant if desired. (note you may punch holes into your shapes at this stage with a 1/8” hand punch)

Place your plastic shapes onto a heat resistant surface. Apply heat. As the shapes melt, they will curl up and then flatten back out again. Use long tweezers to protect your fingers from getting burned.

While the plastic shapes are still hot, stamp them with the texture plate with firm pressure.

I love fall -with the cool crisp air, and the beautiful array of colors, it is by far my most FAVORITE time of year! I also love combining my art with objects of personal meaning. So, when I stumbled across this old piece of barn wood at the family farm, I knew It had to come home with me so I could give it new life. Now, it’s been upcycled with some gorgeous copper flowers and greets everyone at the door who comes to visit. It’s just the perfect touch for my fall décor!

Cut 12 copper circles each of the #3 and #2 (with #1 being the smallest) Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Shields One die template using the Artisan X-plorer™ machine.

Hold a petal with pliers and apply heat to under side with lighter or candle. When color begins to appear, remove heat. Practice a little to achieve random color and patterns. Repeat this step to apply a heat patina to all petals.

Place large shields inside the desired embossing folder. Sandwich the embossing folder between the base plate and the raspberry spacer plate and pass through the

Artisan X-plorer™ . Repeat for the smaller set of flowers using the M-bossabilities Harlequin folder.

Cut a copper circle with the #3 Circles one die template and glue it inside the corresponding bezel.

Turn the bezel over, apply a generous amount of glue and begin arranging your petals in a clockwise pattern, applying the smaller flowers first and finishing with larger flowers. Allow to dry.

Glue gears and other desired embellishments to the inside of the bezel.

Add to your desired base.

I used a piece of barn wood from the family farm as a base. I attached the flowers using small tacks/nail brads and stapled on the chain.

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Of course I’m always trying to make treasure from broken bits you’d normally throw away. And it’s even more so when it’s something I’ve had a sentimental attachment to for a long time.

I’ve just come home from BeadFest-Philadelphia expo (read about it here) feeling all refreshed and inspired and what I learned from there you’ll see incorporated into the next series of videos.

I was so excited to see that the new release for Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ was hatpins! Working with mixed media, I was excited to get my hands on these and as they say, Explore Beyond – which means make them into something they’re not. Because the wire is attached to the hatpin itself, it was easy to turn these into decorative note holders. There’s so many ways these can be displayed, as photo holders, name place settings or wedding décor. How would you use them?

Watch the video and then leave your comments below 🙂

Vintage Hatpins

by: Linda Peterson

Project Dimensions: Varies depending which size bezel you select

Spellbinders Supplies:

MMM-001 Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ Machine

MB3-004S Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Diamond Hatpin- Silver

MD11-014 Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ Diamonds one Die

Miscellaneous crystal beads

European style beads (large hole beads)

Photograph

2 Silver filigree findings pendant bases

Silver wire 24 gauge

Glass knob with screw assembly attached – (needs to be flat on the bottom so the note holder will stand up)

Clear glue

2-part epoxy – 5 minute set (you can also use 2-part resin and let it cure)